The Rest Is Classified
Goalhanger
Enter the secretive world of spies, espionage, and covert operations. Hosted by former CIA analyst turned spy novelist, David McCloskey, and veteran security correspondent, Gordon Corera, this podcast unravels real-life spy stories, intelligence secrets, and the hidden power struggles shaping global events. From Cold War espionage to modern-day intelligence agencies like the CIA, MI6, and Mossad, explore the world of double agents, classified missions, and the shadowy figures who operate in them. Whether you're a true crime addict, a thriller fan, or fascinated by spy stories, this is the show for you.
Episodes
Mentioned books
53 snips
Mar 25, 2026 • 53min
141. Trump’s Latin America Playbook: How the CIA Toppled a Regime (Ep 2)
A deep dive into the CIA’s 1954 takeover of Guatemala and the covert tactics used to topple a leader. They unpack psychological warfare, radio deceptions, makeshift air campaigns and fabricated defections. The conversation traces the coup’s violent aftermath and asks whether those Cold War playbooks could reappear under Trump’s foreign policy.
83 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 52min
140. Trump’s Latin America Playbook: Before Venezuela, There Was Guatemala (Ep 1)
A deep dive into the 1954 Guatemalan coup and its role as a Cold War template for modern regime change. They unpack US hemispheric strategy and how the Monroe Doctrine was repurposed. The discussion covers United Fruit’s influence, CIA covert tools like propaganda and paramilitary planning, and how psychological warfare and media manipulation shaped outcomes.
51 snips
Mar 18, 2026 • 56min
139. Trump vs Iran: Saddam Hussein and the Nuclear Bomb (Ep 2)
Arash Azizi, historian and author on Iranian politics and the Quds Force. He traces the US–Iran turn from 1979 to post‑2003 Iraq. Short takes cover Hezbollah’s rise, Qasem Soleimani’s role, lethal Iranian weapons in Iraq, Iran’s nuclear ambiguity, and why some strategies aim at regime change rather than mere arms control.
99 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 56min
138. Trump vs Iran: The Road to Operation Epic Fury (Ep 1)
Arash Azizi, historian and Yale academic known for books on modern Iran, gives a concise tour of the hidden history behind US–Iran tensions. He traces 1953 and the coup, the Shah’s rise, SAVAK’s repression, Khomeini’s ascent, and the events that set the stage for recent strikes. Short, sharp chapters unpack the political turning points that reshaped Iran and its relationship with the West.
83 snips
Mar 11, 2026 • 1h 7min
137. How Russia Made Trump: MAGA Take The White House (Ep 6)
A deep look at Russia's role in the 2016 election and the intelligence work that tied Kremlin actors to hacks. They trace the drip strategy of leaked emails, media amplification and timing around Comey’s announcements. The conversation covers US responses, sanctions and covert actions, and the lasting damage to trust and democratic institutions.
92 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 47min
136. How Russia Made Trump: Putin’s Troll Factory (Ep 5)
A deep dive into the rise of Yevgeny Prigozhin and the creation of the Internet Research Agency. Tales of fake American personas, on-the-ground stunts, and assembly-line troll tactics. Analysis of outreach strategies, budgets, and which content actually spread. A look at how online influence intersected with hack-and-leak operations and political contacts.
105 snips
Mar 7, 2026 • 39min
135. Is The CIA Arming Kurdish Militias In Iran?
Clarissa Ward, CNN chief international correspondent with two decades reporting from front lines, files live dispatches from northern Iraq. She recounts drone and missile strikes near Erbil and the reporting around alleged CIA arms flows to Iranian Kurdish groups. Conversations cover Kurdish aims, regional fallout, leaks and possible Israeli involvement. The overall picture is tense, uncertain and potentially destabilizing.
85 snips
Mar 4, 2026 • 51min
134. How Russia Made Trump: Was The Vote Rigged? (Ep 4)
A deep dive into the GRU hack-and-leak campaign that targeted Democratic emails in 2016. They trace how intelligence agencies tracked the operation and how political framing changed the response. The discussion covers probes of state voter systems, Kremlin motives, and tense exchanges between US intelligence and Russian officials.
106 snips
Mar 3, 2026 • 44min
133. How Russia Made Trump: Romanian Hackers, WikiLeaks, and Hillary’s Emails (Ep 3)
A deep dive into how cyber intrusions morphed into large-scale information operations. The GRU’s creation of fake fronts, data exfiltration tactics, and sloppy tradecraft that left clues. The curious partnership between WikiLeaks and stolen Clinton campaign material. How leaked DNC emails exposed internal bias and reshaped the political narrative.
224 snips
Mar 1, 2026 • 1h
132. What's Next For Iran?
A live intelligence-driven look at recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran and how leaders were tracked. Discussion of technical and human-source methods used to penetrate Iran’s leadership. Analysis of military aims: degrading command, targeting air defenses and strike timing. Consideration of regional risks, possible retaliation and whether internal protest movements could change the regime.
